Warp stop-motion for looms



No. 62|,3l0. Patented Mar. l4, I899. J. H. NURTHROP. WARP STOP MOTIONFOR LOOMS.

(Application filed Aug. 4, 1898) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet i.

No. 62|,3l0. Patented Mar. I4, I899. J. H. NURTHRUP.

WARP STOP MOTION FOR LOOMS.

(Application filed Aug 4, 1898.)

2 Sheets-8heet 2.

(No Model.)

08% M MW' Nrrn TATES ATENT FFICE.

JAMES H. NORTHROP, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE DRAPERCOMPANY, OF SAME PLACE AND PORTLAND, MAINE.

WARP STOP-MOTION FOR LOOMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 621,316, dated March14, 1899.

Application filed August 4, 1898. Serial No. 687,6 84. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J AMES H. NORTHROP, of Hopedale, county ofWorcester, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in WarpStop-Motions for Looms, of which the following description, inconnection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, likeletters and figures on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to Warp stop-motion mechanism particularlyapplicable to looms, whereby the abnormal positioning of a c011-trolling or actuating detector is madeeffective to accomplish, throughsuitable translating means, the automatic stoppage of the loom, suchabnormal positioning of a detector occurring when a warp-thread normallycooperating therewith fails or becomes improperly slack. It has beenfound that the weight of a detector applied to a warp-thread tends tocause trouble by scraping off lint, making extra breakage, anddepressing the warp-threads, so as to interfere with the properformation of the shed when the detector is located in front of theharness. When warp-threads are so depressed, the point of the shuttlemay pass over instead of under the warps forming the upper plane of theshed, making an overshot.

My invention has for its main object the production of means to relievethe Warpthreads from the pressure of the detectors at intervals,preferably when the shuttle is passing through the warp.

Figure 1 is a right-hand side elevation of a suificient portion of aloom to be understood with one embodiment of my invention appliedthereto. Fig. 2 is a partial longitudinal section of the loom, taken onthe line m 00, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view, takenbetween the loom sides, with the lay and other parts of the loomomitted, which form no part of my invention. Figs. 4 and 5 areperspective details to be hereinafter referred to. Fig. 6 is a left-handview, referring to Fig. 3, of a portion of the mechanism for actuatingthe feeler and effecting the stopping of the loom.

I have herein shown the detectors d, which control or serve to effectthe operation of the stopping means for the loom, as located between thelay ai, Fig. 1, and the harness H, said detectors being preferably madeas thin flat strips of sheet metal having each an elongatedthread-receiving opening (1 and a second elongated slot d at the upperend thereof, a flat lifter-bar a, of a less depth than the length of theslots, being extended through the slots 61 of the series of detectors.The lower ends of said detectors slide vertically in plates or bars Z)Z), suitably securedto the loom sides, the former serving also as aback-stop when a detector is abnormally. positioned, as 'will bedescribed. The lifterbar a is swiveled or mounted at its ends to rock intwo arms a, one at each side of the loom, and fast upon a rock-shaft ahaving its bearings in suitable brackets a which may be convenientlybolted to the arch A of the loom.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the rock-shaft a has at one end, shown asoutside of the loom-frame, an attached rocker-arm a, from which dependsa pivotally-connected link a slotted at its lower end, as at a, (seeFig. 5,) to straddle the usual cam-shaft O, as herein shown, while a toeal (shown in Fig. 5 as forming a part of the link and having a convexedlower end) is adapted to travel on a double-throw cam C, so that thelink will be raised and lowered twice for each revolution of the shaft0, such movement of the link acting to raise the lifter-bar a and withit the series of detectors.

The throw of the lifter-bar'is such that each time it is elevated thedetectors will be moved collectively away from the warpthreads w, whichpass through the slots 01, so that at intervals the warp-threads will beentirely relieved of the weight of the said detectors. As herein shownin the drawings, this release ofthe warp-threads from strain due to thedetectors is effected as the lay turns back and the shuttle is thrownthrough the shed; but obviously by changing the time of the cont-rollingmechanism for the bar a the time of the release of the warp-threads maybe changed. The Weight of the link a maintains its toe a on the surfaceof the cam C, andwhen the bar a is lowered the detectors operativelyengage and are supported by such of the normally-conditioned warpthreadsas are in the upper shed, the term normally conditioned being used toindicate those warp-threads which are unbroken and under proper tension.Should, however, a warp-thread break or become unduly slack at the timethe detectors are feeling the warps, the detector cooperating with suchbroken or slack thread will descend into ac tive or abnormal position,it being remembered that at such time the bar a is depressedsufficiently to permit such active movement of the detector. \Vhen adetector so moves into active position, it will be engaged by and stopthe movement of a normally-vibrating feelerf, shown as a bar extendedacross the loom adjacent the lower ends of the detectors and normallyvibrating beneath the lower ends thereof, said feeler being attached bysuitable arms f to a rock-shaft f having a rocker-army, to which ispivotally connected an actuating-link f. This link is shown as bent atits lower end toward the back of the loom and then again downwardly atthe rear of the shaft 0, a toe f on the link being held by the weight ofthe latter on a cam F fast on the shaft C.

The portion of the link f back of the shaft 0 is shaped to form a hunterf which in the movement of the link is brought into and out of the pathof movement of one or more toes or tappets m of a tappet M, (see Fig.3,) the engagement of the feeler with an abnormally-positioned detectorpreventing the descent of the bunterf out of the path of the tappet, sothat the rotation of the cam M in the direction of the arrow 10, Fig. 3,will cause one of the tappets m to engage the bunter and move it and thelink f bodily to the left, viewing Fig. 3.

The retractive movement of the feeler f is effected by engagement of thetoe f with the high part of the cam F and under normal conditions thesaid toe will leave the high part before one of the tappets can strikethe bunter, and the stroke of the feeler toward the detector iscompleted by gravity. If the feeler is stopped by a detector in activeposition, then the hunter is retained in the path of and to be engagedby one of the tappets to thereby effect release of the shipper-lever byconnections to be described.

A detector in active position is prevented from falling out of theseries by the bar a.

A rock-shaft a, mounted in the loom-frame A, has fast upon it aknock-off arm 6 (see dotted lines, Fig. 1) to engage and release theusual shipper-lever S from its holding-notch at the proper time,therock-shaft 6 having fast thereon a second arm 6 jointed at c to anupwardly and rearwardly extend ed link e bent over or hooked at its freeend, as at c, Fig. 3, to partially embrace the shaft 0 between thefeeler-controllin g cam F and the tappet-cam M, the rear end of the link6 being extended, as at e, and having fulcrumed upon it at c a lever 0provided with a stud 6 which is extended through a slotf in thedepending end of the link f and held in place bya suitable washer 3 andnut 5. A rod 6 is pivotally connected at one end to the lower end of thelever 6 and its threaded opposite end 6 is extended through an car 6rigidly mounted on the stud e of the arm 6 and held in adj ustedposition in said ear bysuitable checknuts a.

By means of the rod 2 and the adjusting devicesviz. the check-nutstheposition of the bunter f may be regulated more or less toward or fromthe'path of the toes or tappets m by reducing or increasing the distancefrom the lower end of the lever e to the ear a when setting up theapparatus.

It will be'readily understood that the lever c depends from theextension (2 of the link a, and as the feeler-actuating link f" risesand falls such motion is provided for by the slotand-pin connection f ebetween said link f" and lever 6 It will be obvious that upon engagementof the feeler with an abnormally-positioned detector one of the tappetson will engage the bunter f and move it to the left, Fig. 3, and suchmovement will be transmitted through the stud e to the lever 6 andinasmuch as the upper and lower ends of the lever are connected with thearm 6 by the link a and rod e ,respectively,said arm will be swung torock the shaft e and move the knock-off arm 6' against and to releasethe shipper-lever S from its holding-plate.

It is very desirable that the presence of a broken orimproperly-slackwarp-thread shall be detected promptly and such condition of affairs betransmitted as rapidly as may be to the stop-motion of the loom in orderthat the latter may be stopped as quickly as possible after theoccurrence of the break or slackening of the thread, and by locating thestopmotion-actuating detectors between the fell of the cloth and theharness I am enabled to effect the stoppage of the loom very quicklyupon the detection of an abnormally-conditioned warp-thread.

In order that the detectors may travel in substantially vertical paths,the lifter-bar a is swiveled or pivotally mounted in the arms a, and inFig. 4 the details of such mounting are shown, the arm a being providedat its outer end with a hub a, which receives loosely in it a headedstud a, the inner end of which is slotted at ca to embrace the end ofthe bar a, a cotter-pin or other suitable fastening a being then passedthrough the holes 7 and 8 in the bar and stud, respectively, to connectthe two together, the bar thus being provided with readily-separablejournals, which latter rock in the hubs (L Obviously other convenientforms of connection could be provided by which the rocking or swivelingof the lifter-bar could be effected.

lVhile I have shown one convenient form of feeler-vibrating mechanismand cooperat- ICC ing connections between it and the shipperlever, myinvention is not restricted thereto, as any suitable feeler-actuatingmeans may be used in connection with the requisite connections betweensuch means and the shipperlever, so long as the stopping means of theloom is operated by or through the active movement of a detector intoabnormal position.

So far as I am aware it is broadly new in a warp stop-motion to atintervals positively move the detectors to relieve the warp-threads fromstrain due to the engagement therewith of said detectors, andaccordingly my invention is not restricted to the construction andarrangement herein shown and described,the

latter being a practical and operative embodiment of one form of theinvention.

While each detector is herein shown as oooperating with a singlewarp-thread, it will be obvious that two or more warp-threads could beused in connection with each detector so long as said differentwarp-threads would move into the upper plane of the shed at differenttimes.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is I 1. In a loom, shed-forming'devices a series ofstop-motion-controlling detectors independent of the devices and capableof collective movement when desired, and also capable of individualmovement into operative position upon failure or undue slackness of awarp-thread, means to positively act upon and effect thecollectivemovement of the detectors into and out of position to engageand feel warp-threads in normal condition, and a stop-motion for theloom, operated by or through a detector in its operative or activeposition.

2. In aloom, the lay, shed-forming devices a series ofstopmotion-controlling detectors independent of the lay and saiddevices, and adapted to cooperate with and feel intermittingly thewarp-threads, and to severally move into active or operative positionupon failure or undue slackness of a warp-thread, means to support saiddetectors independently of the warp-threads between their detectingperiods, and stopping means for the loom, operated by or through adetector in its active or operative position.

3. In a loom, shed-forming devices, a series of stop-motion-controllingdetectors located in front of the shed-forming devices, adapted tointermittingly feel warp-threads in normal condition and to be heldthereby from individualmovement into active or operative position, meansto at intervals act upon and withdraw the detectors from feelingengagement with the warp-threads, and a stop-motion for the loom,operated by or through a detector in its active or operative position.

4. In a warp stop-motion for looms, shedforming devices a series ofcontrolling-deble of collective movement into and out of feelingengagement with warp-threads in normal condition, said detectors havingalso individual movement into active or operative position upon failureor undue slackness of a warp-thread, a normally-vibrating feeler tocooperate with a detector in active or operative position, and means topositively move the detectors at predetermined intervals to relieve thewarp threads from the weight thereof.

5. In a loom, shed-forming devices, a series of detectors adapted torest upon and thereby feel warp-threads in normal condition, eachdetector being adapted to move into operative position upon failure orundue slackness of its corresponding warp-thread, means independent ofthe shed-forming device to raise said detectors collectively atintervals, to thereby relieve the warp-threads of their weight, and astop-motion for the loom, operated by or through a detector in operativeposition. A

6. In a loom, the lay, shed-forming mechanism, a series ofstop-motion-controlling detectors located between said mechanism and thelay, each detector being adapted to move into operative position uponfailure or undue slaokness of its warp-thread, and ad apted when infeeling position to be supported by warp-threads in normal condition,means to positively move said detectors out of feeling engagement withthe threads at predetermined intervals, and a stop-motioninstrumentality for tl1eloom,operated by or through a detector inabnormal operative position.

7. In a loom, a series of detectors capable of vertical movement andprovided each with an elongated warp-thread-receiving opening, a movablesupport located above the warpthreads, from which said detectors aresuspended and relative to which they have a limited longitudinalmovement, elevation of the support moving the detectors independently ofand relieving the warp-threads of their weight, means to raise and lowerthe support at intervals, the detectors being arranged to be supportedby normally-conditioned warp-threads as the support completes itsdownward movement, each detector being adapted to move into abnormal oroperative position upon failure or slackness of its warpthread, avibrating feeler to be engaged and stopped by a detector abnormallypositioned, and stopping means for the loom, operated by stoppage of thefeeler.

8. In a loom, the lay, a series of stop-motion-controlling detectorsindependent of the lay and, capable of collective movement, and alsocapable of individual movement into operative position upon failure orundue slackness of a warp-thread, means to positively effect collectivemovement of the detectors out of feeling engagement with thewarp-threads as the shuttle passes through the warp, to thus relieve thewarp-threads from strain due to the detectors, and a stop-motion for theloom, operated by or through a detector in operative position.

9. In a loom, the harnesses, a series of stopmotion-controllingdetectors independent of the harnesses and adapted to descend by gravityupon and be supported by normally-conditioned warp-threads, andindividually to have a further downward movement into operative positionupon failure or undue slackness of a warp-thread, a common liftingdevice for the detectors, operative intermittingly to lift them fromresting upon the Warpthreads, and a stop-motion for the loom, operatedby or through a detector in abnormal position.

10. In a loom, a series of longitudinallyslotted stop motion controllingdetectors adapted to rest upon and be sustained by normally-conditionedWarp-threads and adapted each to move into operative position when itscorresponding warp-thread breaks or slackens unduly, a rock-shaft, armsfast thereon, a lifting-bar swiveled in said arms and extended throughthe slots in and to lift said detectors collectively and thereby removetheir weight from the warp-threads, means to rock said shaft atintervals, the swiveling of the bar permitting the detectors to travelin substantially vertical paths, and a stop-mo-- operated by or througha detector when in operative position due to failure or slackness of itscorresponding warp-thread, when the detectors are in position to becontrolled by the warp-threads, and means independent of the shed-forming devices to positively move said detectors at intervals from thecontrol of the warp-threads and at such times sustain the detector of abroken or slack thread.

12. In a loom, stop-motion-actuating detectors movable in to activeposition upon brealc age or slackness of their cooperating warpthreads,a normally-vibrated feeler to engage and be stopped by a detector inactive position, stopping means for the loom, including apivotally-supported hunter governed as to its position by the feeler, ahunter-actuating cam, and means to adjust the bunter relatively to itsactuating-cam.

13. In a loom, stop-motion-actuating detectors movable into activeposition upon breakage or slackness of their cooperating warpthreads, anormally-vibrated feeler to engage and be stopped by a detector inactive position, a pivotally supported bunter operatively connected withthe feeler and governed as to its position thereby, and an actuator forthe bunter, combined with a knock-off arm, connections between it andthe bunter, movement of the latter byits actuator operating theknock-off arm to efi'ect stoppage of the loom, and an independent,adjustable connection between said arm and the bunter, to adjust thelatter relatively to its actuator.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES H. NORTI'IROP.

Witnesses:

GEORGE OTIs DRAPER, ALBERT H. COUSINS.

